As a politically neutral group, The Broken of Britain has no ideological position on the Welfare Reform Bill. However, it does seem disappointing that most Labour MPs decided to abstain in the vote on the Bill at the Second Reading given that many of them objected to the reform of Disability Living Allowance.
The Broken of Britain has prepared a list of suggested amendments to the Bill that will remove what we consider to be "anti-disability" provisions. These amendments have been discussed for quite some time, and have been sent to the 22 MPS who voted against the Bill. We will now focus on winning support from Conservative, Labour and Lib Dem MPs for these amendment.
Non-partisan UK-based Disability campaign. Advocacy for people with invisible illness and/or physical & mental health conditions. Also Carers, their Families and Friends. Our individual voices are too quiet to be heard, but collectively we can shout loud enough to drown out this tide of abuse against us. Disability Hate Crime, lack of full legal protection, people in care homes costing too much to be let out and not one political party willing to fight for us.
Good starting point for negotiation. In situations like this, it needs to be 'ideal' (short of being really cheeky) so that any further compromise is really a compromise. I don't think we should refuse to compromise, but some of those points are worth sticking to, particularly the idea that people with really obvious cases shouldn't need medicals, and that evidence from specialists and GPs should be paramount - certainly more important than guidance from the SoS...
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a very sensible and practical set of amendments to me. And if DLA IS replaced by another benefit, we all have to press the point that having four levels for care and living plus three for mobility will make things clearer for claimants and administrators.
ReplyDeleteAssuming success, it SHOULD then be possible for people (after their initial claim on a 'full' form) to simply request, eg., "Form C (Care&Life) and Form B (Mobility), please". should their needs change. That's for the future though so I'll stop, as I've started designing forms in my head :-)
I fully support your very sensible amendments and hope that enough MPs (and Members of The House of Lords) will support them in Parliament.
xJ
Correct me if im wrong, but thepassing of the bill in the house of commons is just the start of the hurdle. Doesn't it have to be passed through to the second chamber the house of lords. Could we not complain to them and start lobbying them to get the billand its entirity bounced back to the house of commons.
ReplyDeleteActually, there are yet further hurdles in the Commons - and they are our best chance of getting amendments through. It will be a few onths yet before the Bill reaches the Lords.
ReplyDeleteNot understanding politics, I am still very fearful for my future. I still fear they will just end up telling me i am miractulously cured (i wish) when there is no cure. If there was a cure I would have taken it
ReplyDeleteI am fearful for my future with this Parliament of uncaring people
I approve of the amendments. They come across as sensible and measured.
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